Netball champs mental game top shelf.
Defending champions Napier Girls' High School Senior A displayed maturity beyond their years in tonight's feature Hawke's Bay Super 8 netball clash.
Their composure, patience and option taking was top shelf as they beat another unbeaten side from round one, Tremains All In Elusive, 46-42 in Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena.
Caitlin Smith, who was outstanding in the goal attack and goal shoot positions with 26 successes from 36 attempts (72%) pointed out afterwards the side does a lot of work on the mental side of the game.
"We know what it takes to slip back into our A game if we slip down to our B game."
Smith also heaped kudos on the success of their triangles and connections between the midcourters and attacking circle.
A third-season player in the squad, Smith, said NGHS were building well towards their expected toughest clash in the comp against Otane Force.
"They have a lot of old girls from our school and their coach [Annemarie Kupa] is also one of our coaches."
NGHS coach Charissa Barham had every right to praise the depth and versatility within her squad. She was thrilled to use Year 10 student Braxton Gallagher at goal attack during the final quarter.
All In were guilty of conceding too many soft turnovers, a tribute to the superb defensive pressure from their opponents. All In led 14-12 after the first quarter and 25-24 at halftime but trailed 37-34 going into the final quarter.
All In goal shoot Pania Rowe sunk 36 of her 41 attempts for an 88% success rate.
The other match between two unbeaten sides from round one saw Thirsty Whale Otane Force beat Optimise Physio Outkast Sports 51-31. Outkast did well to win the first quarter 8-6 but were beaten 14-5 in the second quarter, 18-8 in the third and 13-10 in the fourth.
Other games saw BM Accounting HHSOG Huia post their first win of the season with a 70-27 drubbing of House of Travel Havelock North Kauri and Vet Services Central Sports also record their first win in the comp with a thrilling 53-49 victory over Hastings Girls' High School Senior A.
The Irene van Dyk-coached Huia side led 17-2 after the first quarter, 34-11at halftime and 47-20 after the third quarter.
Central Sports have the most experienced coach in the comp in Jeanette Oliver and her passion levels are just as high as they were 30 years ago and her tactical talks between quarters were exactly what was needed.
Her troops led 14-10 after the first quarter, 26-25 at halftime and 41-34 going into the final quarter.
